Latest Updates, including Rayan's first tooth on the upper jaw

After a virus did the rounds in our house (in the entire city, in fact), both the kids are doing fine now. Rida had to skip her school for almost three weeks because of the fever, but she has been going well since Monday last week. And boy, does she love it!!! To make her eat her breakfast in the morning, even to wake her up at 7 AM all we have to do is shout "Alright! No school today. We won't go to EuroKids" and we have a relatively obedient girl before us. She still doesn't finish her snacks during the break in school, but that is not a big deal because we ensure she has a good breakfast before she goes to school, and a decent lunch when she returns.

Rayan is getting smarter and (by default) naughtier by the day. He even has a new tooth on the upper jaw :-) . We first noticed it last Thursday (27 July 2006). He loves to play with his sister and, often, trouble her as well. He pulls her hair, hits her on the face, snatches things from her hand etc. resulting in a big 'waaaaaa' from her. While she is crying, try telling her that Rayan is a bad boy. She invariably will shout "No...Rayan is a good boy. He is my brother", while still crying. So chweet!!!

And lately, in the past week or so, we have been observing the first serious attempts from Rayan to speak. He shouts "didi" in quick succession on the very first sight of Rida. He can repeat "Mama", "Dada" and (sometimes) "Papa". Today, both Farheen and I could swear that he said "Please" after hearing it from Rida. Nevertheless, his babble is taking a form of language wherein you can see some emotions and clear attempts at verbal communication. Of course, Rida was a very early talker, but a late walker. Rayan is slower than her sis on the talking part (though he is gaining now), but he is physically much more adept and strong. I won't be surprised if he walks perfectly by his first birthday. Rida, on the other hand, mastered the skill only in her 15th month (just like her papa).

The flip side of this all? A very tired mother. Rayan makes sure that he keeps Farheen busy 24/7. Rida adds her bit too. Of course, Pa is his useful self as usual but mothers are the ultimate busy bodies. We just hope that Rayan grows up being a lesser fussy and choosy eater than his sister.

All in all...I love this life. My children make sure I do.